The Mets recalled Ruben Tejada from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday. Terry Collins later told reporters that Tejada will get the bulk of starts at shortstop through the rest of the season.

“He took a step backward, which can happen in our sport,” Collins said. “Hopefully he rededicates himself. I just want Ruben to understand that job is his for the taking. Go get it. Go grab it. And don’t lose it. But there are some things that have got to be done to keep it.”

“The past is the past,” Tejada said, according to ESPN New York. “I’m here to keep going forward and keep doing my job and keep working hard. I know I work hard every day to try to help the team. I’m ready to play.”

Matthew Cerrone, Lead Writer

Look, if he can go back to just hitting around .280 with a helpful number of doubles, and playing the type of smart baseball he did in 2011 and 2012, he’ll be fine. It’s not a ton to ask, considering he’s done it before. I want to assume he just had an off year. But, there’s value in being the kind of hustler he was last year and the season before that. Tejada’s play here the rest of 2013 is important, because it might mean one less position that needs to be filled this winter.